Using the keyboard to profile an application (Alt-F2 shortcut)

In announcing Visual Studio Beta 2 profiler features, Chris mentioned that we have a new option on the Debug menu called ‘Start Performance Analysis’ which has the Alt-F2 keyboard shortcut. This makes it easier than ever to start profiling your application. The new menu item has the following behavior:

You must have a Visual Studio Solution open in order to enable it.

If you have a solution open, but do not have a launchable current performance session, Start Performance Analysis launches the Performance Wizard.

If you have a solution open and have a launchable current performance session, Start Performance Analysis starts profiling.

Let’s use this new functionality to profile an application that I have prepared earlier.